Conversation with Mike McFaul Recommendation and Book Plug

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck breaks down a week that feels like a case study in America’s democratic backslide. With the government shutdown dragging on and Donald Trump disengaged from any real effort to end it, Republicans in Congress are paralyzed — and Democrats risk losing ground the longer it continues. Chuck examines how Trump’s brand of politics has reshaped the culture, from congressional dysfunction to GOP leaders dodging accountability on everything from Epstein files to free speech hypocrisy. Later, he dives into the Supreme Court’s looming decision on the Voting Rights Act, the ripple effects of potential gerrymandering shifts in the Sun Belt, and the latest shake-ups in Democratic primaries — from Janet Mills’ funding alliances to Florida’s Hector Mujica making AI a centerpiece of his campaign. It’s a snapshot of a democracy under strain — and a politics struggling to evolve.

Finally, Chuck answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and previews the upcoming weekend in college football.

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Timeline:

(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)

00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction

00:45 The government shutdown non-update update 

01:30 Trump is not engaged at all in trying to end the government shutdown 

03:15 Prior presidents didn't engage in foreign trips during shutdowns 

04:45 Republicans in congress can't negotiate without Trump 

06:15 The longer the shutdown goes, the more Dems lose what they gained 

07:30 Trump received more votes in LA county than 15 states he carried 

08:30 Trump is punishing his own voters in blue states/cities 

11:00 Mike Johnson's refusal to convene house gives Epstein theory credence 

12:15 Johnson doesn't want members to have to take vote on Epstein files 

13:45 Republicans trying to brand No Kings protests as a "Hate America" rally 

14:15 Saying protestors "hate america"…is un-American

16:15 Donald Trump has culturally changed America for the worse 

17:00 Release of abhorrent group chat from young Republican leaders 

18:00 MAGA argues for "no speech police", but only for themselves 

19:15 Speech should always be free, but speech does carry consequences 

21:15 SCOTUS hearing case that could potentially end the Voting Rights Act 

22:00 Fears over gerrymandering from SCOTUS ruling may be overblow 

23:15 Gerrymandering could create many more swing seats in sun belt 

25:45 We don't yet know whether the ruling will disenfranchise black voters 

26:30 DSCC set up joint fundraising committee with Janet Mills in Maine 

27:45 UAW has already endorsed Platner over Mills 

28:00 Seth Moulton mounts primary challenge against Ed Markey 

29:15 Generational vs. Ideological change in Democratic primaries? 

30:00 New ads running for VA DA race addressing Jay Jones texts 

31:00 Ad highlights Spanberger's refusal to endorse Jones 

33:30 Democrat Hector Mujica enters Florida senate race 

34:45 Mujica highlights federal job cuts and AI job displacement in ad 

36:45 Mujica is the first candidate to really centralize AI in their pitch 

38:15 AI advances might remind people of importance of human connectivity

40:15 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Michael McFaul 

40:45 Ask Chuck 

41:00 How closely does "The Morning Show" reflect an actual newsroom? 

47:00 Do FCS and Div 2 & 3 programs more accurately rep college football? 

51:15 Is Greg Abbot sending troops to Chicago to build a national profile? 

56:45 What podcasts do you regularly listen to? 

1:00:00 Why are conservatives attacking Bad Bunny's citizenship when he's American? 

1:05:00 College football preview

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